He Calls YOUR Name

Whether I’m called Shirley, Mrs. Brosius, Ms. Brosius or even Miss Shirley, I feel good when I hear that name. Well, not if someone’s yelling. But if I’m sitting in a waiting room, it means someone knows I’m there. If I’m teaching in a classroom, it means someone needs me. If I’m mulling in a crowd, it means someone recognizes me and wants to talk to me.

 I once narrated a church cantata that opened with a verse that makes me feel safe, secure, and significant: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name, you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1, ESV).

 Isaiah penned that verse while writing about the derelict state of Israel. The people had sinned, ignored God’s laws and experienced God’s discipline. Yet God called them by name and called them His own.

 And He also calls us by name. Every. Single. One. Of. Us. “To me, you are very dear and I love you” (Isaiah 43:4, CEV). God said that to Israel, and He says that to each of us. We are precious in His sight. He invites us to walk the journey of life with Him because He enjoys our company. 

 If we are in a waiting room where we’re questioning if God really cares, He whispers, “Come to My side so I can care for you in this situation.”

 If we’re going through rough times and God seems far away, He whispers, “I haven’t moved. Just close your eyes and rest in My presence. I will guide you through this. Trust me.”

 If we are searching for significance, God says, “My child, serve others and you serve Me. I have no hands and feet on this earth but yours.”

 We may not recognize His voice. But if we have a nudge to “do something” for someone–send a card, say a prayer, serve a blessing–He’s calling us by name.

 Recently in a room full of people wearing masks, I heard my name. I couldn’t tell who called me until the person pulled down her mask. Then I recognized her. So we may not recognize that God was near us until years later when we find a blessing blossomed from a problem.

 We may not feel worthy to be called. Perhaps we’ve messed up, and we want to hide in a corner. No matter. Jesus knows all about our messes, and still loves us and calls us by name. 

 When dark clouds hover, God calls us to trust Him. When life is full of sunshine, God calls us to praise Him. So listen for Your name today. Does God want to teach you? To care for you? To equip you? Whatever your need, God is there for you.

 He calls us by name. We are His. Answer His call and you’ll find He loves you and walks with you over mountains and through deep valleys on a life-long journey of faith, hope and love.

 

Our Prayers; God's Answers

 I was delighted to find a $100 gift card for Macy’s when I looked in a drawer for something else. My husband, Bill, gave me that card for Christmas a couple years ago. Then Covid struck, and I never spent it. So off we went on a shopping spree, and I found a spring coat for $130. I handed the checkout clerk my gift card and credit card, and she said I owed $120 on my credit card.

 “Oh,” I said. “The gift card is for $100.” She looked at her register again and informed me the gift card had only $10 left on it. Then I remembered. I bought shoes with that card and forgot to mark the remaining balance on the card’s envelope.

 It gets better. The little square envelope containing the gift card also held a Macy’s credit card. I had searched and searched for that card. I finally considered it lost and got a new one.

 I then bought a pair of slacks and walked to the exit. Bill had stayed in the car. Only problem was, I couldn’t find the exit that led to that parking lot. I asked a clerk, and she led me to doors that led to steps. I had not come in doors with steps. She continued to lead me around this maze of a store, and I finally got out and happily dropped into our car. According to my watch, I had walked .8 of a mile that morning. And I’m sure .79 was at Macy’s.

 Life can be complicated. And that’s just a silly example. How about the complications that come from facing inoperable cancer or recovering from major injuries or fleeing from bombs with nowhere to go?

 I’ve been reading David’s psalms. Can you imagine growing up a shepherd boy and then being anointed to be king? Can you imagine killing a giant and then being appointed to play a lyre to sooth King Saul’s anxiety attacks? Can you imagine how, after all that, you would feel when the king turned on you and threatened your life?

 Of the 73 psalms attributed to David, 13 can be linked to incidents in his life. For four years, this anointed shepherd boy, this anointed king, was on the run from a jealous King Saul. And David waited 15 years to become king of Judah and seven more to reign over all of Israel. Talk about a journey in faithfulness.

 In the psalms, David denounced his enemies and prayed for their demise. But even though God did not immediately answer, David praised God. During those long, challenging years, David praised God for His creation, for His protection and for His provision. He celebrated a God who was there for Him.

 Psalm 22 begins with David asking why God dumped him miles from nowhere. He laments the “herds of bulls” that come at him, “horns lowered, nostrils flaring.” But he then praises God, not for what He does but for who He is:

 “Shout Hallelejah, you God worshipers; give glory, you sons of Jacob; adore him, you daughters of Israel. He has never let you down, never looked the other way when you were being kicked around . . . . He has been right there, listening” (Psalm 22:23-24 The Message).

 And that same God is listening to us. Just as I could not find my way out of Macy’s, we may not find our way out of the maze of life as quickly as we want. But whether God answers now or then, here or there, He is with us, and that is enough. We praise Him not for what He does but for who He is as Lord of the universe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book Review: Spiritual Disciplines Handbook

 

 If you feel your spiritual life lacks luster, this book is for you. In Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices that Transform Us Author Adele Ahlberg Calhoun offers dozens of ways to enhance how we open ourselves to God.

 Six parts with 12 topics each help you vary your routine of relating to God. And each topic includes a chart giving an overview of the practice, a one-page description of the practice, reflection questions, spiritual exercises and resources.

 For instance, the prayer section includes the subjects of breath prayer, centering prayer, contemplative prayer, conversational prayer and many more. A section on hearing God’s Word includes the topics of Bible study, devotional reading, meditation and memorization.

 When I bought the book, I thought I would use it as a resource rather than read through it. But I found the suggestions so good, I am reading through it and incorporating ideas as I go. I would really like to take a week and explore each topic. 

 Calhoun writes in a conversational, readable manner. The book opens with Contents, a Preface to the Revised Edition and a listing of The Spiritual Disciplines and Desires. The introduction subhead is titled “Discovering Your Desire.” Ten appendixes include a spiritual growth planner, a series on spiritual disciplines for the congregation and using the handbook with small groups (sounds like a great idea to me). A glossary and bibliography conclude the book.

 If you’re serious about growing spiritually, you will appreciate this book.

 

Enjoy the Ride

 Since my husband, Bill, drove, I put my head back and closed my eyes. I felt tired. A day after doctors' appointments and errands, we left for yet another doctor’s appointment.

 I dozed. But every now and then I opened my eyes to enjoy the fields and trees zipping by. Basking in the warmth of the morning sun, I felt no responsibility. After all, Bill was behind the wheel. He steered and braked and stayed alert to other motorists. He certainly wanted to provide a safe ride for us. And a feeling of deep peace swept over me.

 As I enjoyed this unusual feeling of tranquility, I thought about my life. I am no more in charge of life than I am in charge of driving when I’m not behind the wheel. (Oh, sure, I “help” Bill drive from time to time, but he is an excellent driver. I trust him.)

 I then realized I should feel such peace about life in general. Yes, I am responsible to do what I can to contribute to a healthy, safe ride through the years. I can’t walk in front of trains and expect angels to protect me. But after I’ve taken care of myself, I can leave my trip, the rest of my days, in God’s hands and be at peace.

 If trouble jumps into my way, God has permitted it and will help me deal with it. I am not immune to accidents. I come in contact with germs, and I will suffer the vagaries of aging. In scripture, Solomon alerts us to what lies ahead: “Your limbs will tremble with age, and your strong legs will grow weak. Your teeth will be too few to do their work . . . ” (Ecclesiastes 12:3 NIV).

 While I don’t like to think about hands that shake and dentures, it’s true. No matter our ages now, we assume we’ve boarded a long trip. Unless we die young, we’re going to grow old. But while we are responsible to eat healthfully and to exercise, we can leave our journey in God’s hands. Psalm 139 reminds us God knows everything about us and plans our trip, down to the rest stops. His hand holds the steering wheel, and His strength supports us.

 “Every day of my life was recorded in Your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed” (Psalm 139:16).

 God shares responsibility with us about earthly matters, so we need not lose sleep worrying. We are not going to live forever. And neither are our loved ones. While we cooperate with God in making wise choices, our temporal future is also influenced by actions far beyond our control.

 As we ponder the day behind and look forward to the day ahead, we can feel as tranquil as I felt that morning as we drove through the countryside. God is behind the wheel.

 Something to think about: Are you trying to take the wheel of your life from God? What kind of bumps have you hit in the road? Are you in need of a rest stop? Are you enjoying the journey? Does your tank need spiritual fuel?

 (The photo shows Bill behind the wheel back in the day. We drove many happy, carefree miles in that 1957 Ford.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When Life Puzzles Us

There were only a few slots left in this jigsaw puzzle (first photo) where the last few pieces might fit. But they didn't! It was puzzling. And frustrating. This happened once before with another jigsaw puzzle, and it turned out two identically shaped pieces were in the wrong slots. Hmmmm.

I feel as though life right now is like this puzzle. I feel unsettled. I worry about this and that–health, aging, the world situation. Yet, hey, I’m a Christian and I should not feel this way. Right? Christians know God is on His throne, so all is well.

Well, today I’m unsettled, so I consider how to approach my problem.

I will ask my two Friends of the Heart to pray for me. My problems seem miniscule compared to the problems in the world. There are thousands upon thousands of people trying to leave Ukraine because of war, and they’re stuck in lines or shelters, on foot or in cars.

Here I am. A dot in the grand scheme of things. One little person. But author Sarah Young in MORNINGS WITH JESUS reminds me God cares–even about little dots. Jesus invites us to bring Him our problems and consider them an opportunity to trust Him more. So I will ask my friends to pray for me.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God” (Philippians 1:4 NIV).

I will focus on today, rather than worry about tomorrow. Life is so surprising. When I think back over the things I’ve worried about, I realize how useless worry is. It does not change a thing. And most things never happened. Yet I do need to be concerned enough to deal with some things. God has helped me in the past when puzzling things happened, so I must distinguish between problems to deal with and those to leave in God’s Hands.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him” (Romans 8:28).

I will read God’s Word. I sometimes find it hard to find a personal message in Old Testament passages about laws and rituals and wars. But I keep looking, and there’s always something there to apply to my life. So I will keep reading.

“How sweet are your words . . . sweeter than honey to my mouth” (Psalm 119:103).

 And I will keep on praying. Prayer usually settles my heart. As I bring my needs and the needs of others before the Lord, I can see that my needs are small. I know God will be faithful one way or another.

 "If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

 Just this morning as Kim and I wound up a conversation about the world situation, she said, “We will keep our noses in the scripture, our prayers going up, and we’ll keep on walkin’.”

 Amen to that. I feel better already. And as you can see, the puzzle pieces finally fell into place– although one final piece is nowhere to be found. I will keep on lookin’.